"LEO Lecturer III- Sustainable Food Systems"

The Program in the Environment (PitE) in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts and the School of Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) at the University of Michigan invites individuals to apply for the position of LEO Lecturer III to teach courses in the area of Sustainable Food Systems, as well as support the Program in the Environment Food minor and Sustainable Food Systems Initiative. Applications are welcomed and encouraged regardless of background and identity.

To apply, please complete the application on the U-M Careers site. In addition, the following materials must be submitted as one PDF document along with your application on the UM Jobs site: A cover letter that addresses your specific interest in the position, outlines experience that directly relates to this position (up to two single-spaced pages); A statement of teaching philosophy (1-2 pages); Curriculum vitae; Names of three individuals that can serve as references.

If considered, you will be contacted and interviewed remotely. The start date for this position is expected to be January 1, 2026. Please contact Nicole Rutherford at nicolmba@umich.edu if you have any questions. This position is subject to the terms of the LEO bargaining agreement, which can be found at https://hr.umich.edu/working-u-m/my-employment/academic-human-resources/contracts.

The Program in the Environment (PitE) at the University of Michigan seeks applicants for a full-time lecturer position in Sustainable Food Systems. This position is 67% instructional (teaching two courses a semester in PitE) and 33% administrative. Administrative duties will include supporting the PitE Food Minor and core activities of the Sustainable Food Systems Initiative.

As a successful candidate, you will demonstrate experience developing and teaching undergraduate and graduate courses on sustainable food systems, sustainability, and/or environmental studies. This is a Lecturer III appointment, which is a non-tenure track position and subject to the terms of the LEO bargaining agreement.

Description of Instructional and Administrative Needs: In addition to teaching four courses per year, you will work collaboratively with PitE leadership to support the Food minor as well as with the Sustainable Food Systems Initiative (SFSI) Advisory Committee to support core SFSI activities. You will be the course coordinator and faculty instructor for Food Literacy for All, which is currently taught primarily online with a Community Co-Instructor. In consultation with the PitE Director, you will develop three other sustainable food systems, sustainability, and/or environmental studies courses. These three courses are expected to be taught in person on the University of Michigan Ann Arbor campus unless there is a compelling pedagogical reason for remote or hybrid instruction.

Desired Teaching/Content Expertise: Candidates from a broad range of sustainable food systems and environmental studies expertise will be considered. The candidate should demonstrate expertise in teaching sustainable food systems and environmental studies. The individual will be expected to hold office hours and handle all routine matters related to instruction. While teaching is expected to take place in-person, office hours can be held remotely.

Qualifications: A PhD in environmental studies, food systems or another sustainability-related discipline, OR a Masters Degree with at least five years of relevant professional experience; Demonstrated excellence in teaching and mentoring; Demonstrated experience in administrative roles in higher education; Demonstrated history of maintaining good working relationships and effective channels of communication in academic settings; Access to relevant professional networks.

All application materials must be submitted no later than September 27, 2025. Selected candidates will be contacted and interviewed remotely shortly after the posting closure date. We expect to make an offer of employment no later than November 30, 2025. The anticipated start date for this position is January 1, 2026.

PitE is an interdisciplinary program that is jointly managed between the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts and the School of Environment and Sustainability (SEAS). PitE blends foundational knowledge, skills, and practices from natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities/culture towards an integrated analysis of environmental and sustainability issues.